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The Phrygian Dominant Scale (Phrygian Major, Mixolydian b2 b6, Harmonic Major Inverse) - Guitar Shapes and Formulas

The Phrygian dominant scale is the fifth mode of the harmonic minor scale. It is also referred to as Mixolydian b2 b6, Phrygian major, Altered Phrygian, Dominant flat 2 flat 6, Spanish Gitan, Harmonic Major Inverse, Jewish or Spanish Gipsy scale.

How To Build The Phrygian Dominant Mode?

The Phrygian dominant scale is nothing more and nothing less than a Mixolydian scale with a lowered 9th (b2, b9) and a lowered 13th (b6, b13). It is spelled 1 - b2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - b6 - b7.

It can also be seen as  the Phrygian mode (the third mode of the major scale) but with a major third instead of a minor third (b3).

Phrygian dominant mode  1 b2 (b9) 3 4(11) 5 b6 (b13) b7
Intervals H W+H H W H W W

 

Playing the Phrygian dominant mode over dominant 7 chords brings a b9b13 sound in your jazz lines. This is a great device to become accustomed with altered notes.

Comparison Between Phrygian Scales 

As you can see in the chart below, in comparison with the Phrygian dominant scale:

The Phrygian mode, third mode of the major scale, has a minor third (b3) instead of a major third (3).

The Phrygian dominant bebop scale has an extra note (7) between the minor seventh (b7) and the root.

Phrygian Dominant 1 b2 (b9) 3 4(11) 5 b6 (b13) b7 X
Phrygian  1 b2 b3 4 5 b6 b7 X
Phrygian dominant bebop 1 b2 3 4 5 b6 b7 7
Comparison between phrygian scales

One Octave Shapes

There are many ways to play scales on guitar. For a beginner, the most simple to practice and hear a scale is to play it using one-octave shapes as presented here.

Each position starts on a different string. Don't forget to play them in all keys by moving the shapes to the fret you want.

Phrygian dominant guitar scale

Two Octave Shapes

The next step is to play the Phrygian dominant scale by covering two octaves. This way you will play it on the six strings of the guitar.

Phrygian dominant guitar positions

Three Notes Per Strings

Now you can play the Phrygian dominant scale all over the guitar neck using three notes per string. This technique allows to start from each step of the scale : Shape 1 (tonic), step 2 (minor second), step 3 (major third), etc.

Phrygian dominant guitar shapes

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Last edited: 2024-03-24

Comments

  • Zeljko Jovanovic

    1 Zeljko Jovanovic On 2024-06-30

    Hi, me again: no, everything is ok, I play the first shape a little different, that has confused me.

    Grettings, nice site!
  • Zeljko Jovanovic

    2 Zeljko Jovanovic On 2024-06-30

    If it is the 5th mode of a harmonic minor scale, it should be, for example in G: G Ab B C D Eb F. But the diagrams don´t fit... :-( or am I wrong?
  • Julian Philips

    3 Julian Philips On 2024-05-01

    One of my favorite scale to bring tension over dominant chords.
    Geat site by the way.
    jazz-guitar-licks

    jazz-guitar-licks On 2024-05-01

    Yes great choice.
    Thanks
    Stef

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